Maharashtra Government makes sale of Gutka to be non-bailable offence

Maharashtra Government has made the sale of Gutka in the state a non-bailable offence under Section 328 of Indian Penal Code (IPC). It was announced by state government in state assembly in order to strictly enforce the ban of these products.

State Governments announcement comes after increase in the cases related to smuggling of gutka from the neighboring states where it is not banned.

Background

In 2012, Maharashtra Government had banned sale and manufacturing of Gutka and Pan Masala under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.

State government also had imposed punishment of 6 months to three years imprisonment. However it was bailable offence that time.

It should be noted that Maharashtra was fifth state to ban gukta after Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and first state to ban Pan Masala.